Latest
Christmas Faces, 2011
LSH's Christmas Bash for the Wee-Ones
Andy of The Suitcase Ensemble
METAL, Liverpool: Mingling with the Peeps at the Christmas Show
METAL, Liverpool: Vicotrian Redcoat
LSH's Christmas Do for the Wee-Ones: Disco
Liverpool Lime Street: The Week before Christmas: Going Home
LSH's Christmas Do for the Wee-Ones: Disco Tex-ette
LSH's Christmas Do for the Little Ones: Waiting
Hungry, the Stars and Everything
Emma Jane Unsworth
At the end of November, I was lucky enough to get a seat in St Helens’ Central Library to hear Emma Jane Unsworth read from and speak about her novel: Hungry, the Stars and Everything — hence this post’s title. Ms Unsworth is a new author; Hungry, the Stars and Everything is her first novel. It’s proving to be a very enjoyable read; I commend it to you!
Sherry Ashworth, Publisher: Hidden Gem Press
Shoot Britain In A Day
Pick up a camera, any camera (your mobile phone probably has, or rather is, a camera) and shoot from:
[divider_thin]
Midnight to Midnight 12 November 2011
(Friday night to Saturday night)
[divider_thin]
You’ll be helping to make history.
More to come,
Paul
A Musical In A Suitcase
Last night at the MASH café-gallery, I saw a gorgeous performance of “Look At Us Now” by The Suitcase Ensemble.
“Look At Us Now” revisits the days of brass bands; back when every sizeable town and factory could boast of several. Harder days but also, perhaps, more innocent ones. Days without the Internet, hype, spin and Andy Warhol’s fifteen minutes of fame — though these days maybe that should be revised down to fifteen seconds?
Based upon a found letter from the secretary of the now long gone Edge Hill Brass Band to a member asking him to return his instrument, the production takes us through this story using music, songs, words and dance: all flawlessly executed. Incorporating humour, audience participation, running gags, we spend time not only with the cast in character but also with the cast as themselves; and all executed without a single brass instrument. An unusual proposition, performing about a championship brass band without recourse to flugelhorn, cornet or tuba, that is carried off magnificently using a cornucopia of alternatives (including voice — which is an instrument, did you know that? I also learned how to spell ukulele last night 
).
The Suitcase Ensemble are based at Metal, an artists’ laboratory in Edge Hill Station, Liverpool, and in their current incarnation have performed together for over eighteen months. The cast for last night’s performance was: Tessa Buddle, Beth Pinches, Andrew Gledhill, Lauren Taylor and Julie Langford.
Beth, Tessa, Lauren, Julie & Andrew: The Suitcase Ensemble
As a theatre collective, each contributed to the total production. Their work is tailored to intimate spaces, which means as close to the audience as possible; such intimate performances takes theatre back to the days when the uber rich would have theatre companies perform at their homes. It is a delight to be able to share such a sumptuous performance with the cast; too often trips to a traditional theatre leaves the audience at the curtain call, no such for The Suitcase Ensemble who actively encourage their audience to chat with them after the conclusion of their performance. Perfect company for an evening at a venue such as the MASH.
Their tour continues, performing in Skipton at the Mart Theatre (21 October), The Railway Hotel, Southend-on-Sea (25 & 26 October) Ye Olde Rose & Crown Theatre Pub, London (27 — 29 October) the Marlow Theatre, Canterbury (3 November) and concludes at The Spotlight Theatre, Bridling ton (5 November).
I highly commend to you The Suitcase Ensemble and their production of “Look At Us Now“; it’s a gem!
More to come,
Paul
Medieval Market
St Helens Lives is a photographic journal about the people and places of St Helens.
Saturday, 1 October 2011, was a day to remember; not only was it the hottest Autumn day in generations but the town centre turned into a medieval market for the day. With displays of medieval music, combat, pottery making, leather working, milnery, arms and armour, acting, falconry… the events just went on and on to great appreciation from those watching. The youngsters loved that they could handle much of the armour and arms. The performers, who were a merry band indeed, shared their knowledge and good cheer with all. I don’t think I saw a frown all day.
Full marks to the council for providing such a wonderous spectacle!
More to come,
Paul
Beginnings — Eddie
St Helens Lives is a photographic journal about the people and places of St Helens.
St Helens was recently voted the second most friendly town in Britain, and coming from across the Lancashire-Yorkshire border nearly three decades ago I can and will disagree: St Helens is the friendliest place in Britain. I was made to feel at home here right from my first day. With that in mind, St Helens Lives is going to take you around the town, to meet and see its wonderful folk and its treasures.
So to start St Helens Lives, let me introduce you to Eddie. Eddie, like St Helens Lives, has a beginning today. He’s just opened a green grocer’s on Walmsley Road. Like me, Eddie believes in St Helens and to that end he will be sourcing and selling quality local fruit and vegetables to his customers. Add to that aim, a quiet and dignified character, a pinch of positive determination to give “can-do”, real old-fashioned customer service and I think he’s on to a winner.
Previous to this beginning Eddie played rugby for Thatto Heath and Swinton and was the landloard of a very famous pub in St Helens, The Sportsman. His good lady, Yvonne, is an artist and his 7-year-old son, following in his mum’s footsteps, has produced the signs that Eddie proudly stands beside.
All the best Eddie. I’m shopping with you. So why don’t you too? Buy really fresh, locally grown fruit and vegetables that’s not been in a supermarket’s chiller for goodness knows how long and hasn’t been bounced around as its travelled countless miles to get to you.
- Eddie
More to come,
Paul